A landmark study of 31,000 people for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) to assess the nation’s appetite for teaching has discovered that mature newcomers are set to swell the ranks of newly qualified teachers. One in four 45-50 year olds planning to explore a new career (23 per cent) now have their sights set on teaching, while more than 580,000 nationally now feel that teaching is a career they may pursue.*
These findings will be well received by the nation's headteachers, as many mature candidates considering moving into the classroom have expressed an interest in teaching the harder-to-recruit subjects of physics (16 per cent) and maths (18 per cent).
The trend for older career changers to switch to teaching is already having an impact. The number of 45-50 year olds joining the profession has nearly doubled over the last five years, from 682 gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in 2002 to 1,122 in 2006, as pay and progression opportunities within teaching continue to improve.
Progression is predicted to be swift for these career changers, with previous research indicating the ambition of older newcomers is high. More than eight out of 10 newly qualified teachers aged 41-50 (84 per cent) described themselves as ambitious, with 15 per cent saying they would like to reach head or deputy headship in the space of five years, compared to only six per cent among their younger counterparts aged 21-30.
Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the TDA said:
"As our data shows, those aged 45 to 50 are exploring a change in their career. As more and more people look to change careers later in life, we can expect to see more mature newly qualified teachers in the staffroom alongside graduates in their 20s. Having a mixed age group among the school workforce can only be a good thing for headteachers, schools and students, as younger and older teachers new to the profession both have much to offer.
"Teaching in turn is a rejuvenating profession for mature candidates – you get to use your creativity and apply industry knowledge in a job which offers excellent pay and progression opportunities. On top of this you work with children and we know from teachers’ feedback that playing a role in their educational development offers unique rewards."
Many future teachers will come from London with a quarter (24 per cent) of the imminent workforce residing in the capital. Britons living in the North West (15 per cent), South East (13 per cent) and West Midlands (10 per cent), East of England (nine per cent) and Yorkshire and Humberside (eight per cent) were all attracted to a career in the classroom.
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Notes to editors
This news release applies to England only.
Research was undertaken by TNS who interviewed 31,338 adults in England and Wales, aged 16-50 between 28 March and 5 August 2007.
The research relating to teacher ambition was carried out by market research consultants PCP in November-December 2005 and is based on a sample of 893 newly qualified primary and secondary school teachers.
* There are 24797841 adults aged 16-50 in England and Wales (ONS). Thirty-four per cent are degree-holders or are studying for a degree, of which 21 per cent could change career path in the future (TNS). Thirty three per cent of these would consider a career in teaching (TNS).
Teaching enquiries
For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (992 for Welsh speakers). Minicom 0117 915 8161.
From 1 September 2008 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on size of school. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits.
Eligible trainees on secondary postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths and science may also be eligible for a 'golden hello' payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TDA website at www.teach.gov.uk/funding.
From 1 August 2008, the bursary for trainees starting ITT courses in secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 and trainees will not be eligible for a golden hello. The bursary for trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.
The graduate teacher programme (GTP) enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.teach.gov.uk/routes
Data collected by the TDA shows that close to 40,000 people began teacher training in the academic year 2006/07.
The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children's life chances.
Media enquiries
Sally Wiber or Simon Francis at Band & Brown Communications
Tel: 020 7419 7316 / 7340
E-mail: sally@bbpr.com / simon.francis@bbpr.com
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